Touch sensing apparatus, touch control display panel, touch control display apparatus, and touch sensing method including magnetic sensor units

ABSTRACT

The present application discloses a touch sensing apparatus. The touch sensing apparatus includes a plurality of magnetic sensor units spaced apart from each other, each of which configured to detect a change in magnetic field caused by a first touch input and connected to a first touch integrated circuit. Each of the plurality of magnetic sensor units includes a reference conductor and a plurality of conductors surrounding the reference conductor, the reference conductor and each of the plurality of conductors independently connected to the first touch integrated circuit. The first touch integrated circuit is configured to determine a touch position of based on changes in capacitances between the magnetic sensor and each of the plurality of conductors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371of International Application No. PCT/CN2017/087692, filed Jun. 9, 2017,the contents of which are incorporated by reference in the entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to touch technology, more particularly, toa touch sensing apparatus, a touch control display panel, a touchcontrol display apparatus, and a touch sensing method.

BACKGROUND

In conventional display apparatuses, a stylus has been used as an inputdevice. For example, a stylus may be connected to a tablet, apersonalized digital assistant, or a mobile phone. The movement of thestylus on a surface of a display panel or a touch pad is detected ortracked as it moves across the surface. The movement of the stylus maybe displayed as lines on the display panel.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present invention provides a touch sensing apparatus,comprising a plurality of magnetic sensor units spaced apart from eachother, each of which configured to detect a change in magnetic fieldcaused by a first touch input and connected to a first touch integratedcircuit wherein each of the plurality of magnetic sensor units comprisesa reference conductor and a plurality of conductors surrounding thereference conductor, the reference conductor and each of the pluralityof conductors independently connected to the first touch integratedcircuit the first touch integrated circuit is configured to determine atouch position of based on changes in capacitances between the referenceconductor and each of the plurality of conductors.

Optionally, the reference conductor is a magnetic sensor configured todetect changes in a magnetic field caused by the first touch input.

Optionally, each of the plurality of conductors is a magnetic sensorconfigured to detect the change in a magnetic field caused by the firsttouch input.

Optionally, the changes in capacitances between the reference conductorand each of the plurality of conductors are based on changes indistances between the reference conductor and each of the plurality ofconductors in response to the change in the magnetic field caused by thefirst touch input.

Optionally, the reference conductor is a magnetic sensor configured toundergoes a deformation in response to the change in the magnetic fieldcaused by the first touch input; and the changes in distances betweenthe reference conductor and each of the plurality of conductors arebased on the deformation.

Optionally, each of the plurality of conductors is a magnetic sensorconfigured to undergoes a deformation in response to the change in themagnetic field caused by the first touch input; the changes in distancesbetween the reference conductor and each of the plurality of conductorsare based on the deformation.

Optionally, a direction between the reference conductor and the touchposition is determined based on a position of one of the plurality ofconductors undergoing a maximum change in capacitance with the referenceconductor in response to the change in the magnetic field caused by thefirst touch input among the plurality of conductors; and the touchposition is determined based on the direction between the touch positionand the reference conductor in each of the plurality of magnetic sensorunits.

Optionally, the plurality of conductors surrounding the referenceconductor have a substantially the same distance to the referenceconductor absent of an exogenous magnetic field; and the directionbetween the reference conductor and the touch position is determinedbased on a position of one of the plurality of conductors having amaximum capacitance with the reference conductor in response to thechange in the magnetic field ceased by the first touch input among theplurality of conductors.

Optionally, the reference conductor has a substantially rod shape; andeach of the plurality of conductors has a substantially plate shape.

Optionally, the reference conductor is made of a magnetizable metal.

Optionally, the reference conductor and the plurality of conductors aremade of non-transparent metal materials.

Optionally, the plurality of magnetic sensor units comprises at leastthree magnetic sensor units.

Optionally, the touch sensing apparatus further comprises a first basesubstrate and a second base substrate; wherein the plurality of magneticsensor units are between the first base substrate and the second basesubstrate; the reference conductor comprises a first terminal and asecond terminal; the first terminal is fixedly attached to the firstbase substrate; and the second terminal is fixedly attached to thesecond base substrate.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a touch controldisplay panel comprising the touch sensing apparatus described herein.

Optionally, the touch control display panel has a display area and aperipheral area; the plurality of magnetic sensor units are in theperipheral area.

Optionally, the touch control display panel further comprises a styluscomprising a magnet.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a touch controldisplay apparatus comprising a touch control display panel describedherein.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a touch sensingmethod, comprising providing a plurality of magnetic sensor units spacedapart from each other; each of the plurality of magnetic sensor unitscomprising a reference conductor and a plurality of conductorssurrounding the reference conductor; detecting changes in capacitancesbetween the reference conductor and each of a plurality of conductorssurrounding the reference conductor; and determining a direction betweenthe reference conductor in each of the plurality of magnetic sensorunits and a touch position based on the changes in capacitances betweenthe reference conductor and each of a plurality of conductorssurrounding the reference conductor in each of the plurality of magneticsensor units.

Optionally, detecting the changes in capacitances between the referenceconductor and each of a plurality of conductors surrounding thereference conductor comprises detecting changes in distances between thereference conductor and each of a plurality of conductors surroundingthe reference conductor.

Optionally, detecting the changes in distances between the referenceconductor and each of a plurality of conductors surrounding thereference conductor comprises deforming the reference conductor inresponse to the change in the magnetic field caused by the touch input.

Optionally, determining the direction between the reference conductorand the touch position comprises determining a position of one of theplurality of conductors having a maximum change in capacitance among theplurality of conductors with the reference conductor.

Optionally, the plurality of magnetic sensor units comprises a firstmagnetic sensor unit, a second magnetic sensor unit, and a thirdmagnetic sensor unit; and the first magnetic sensor unit comprises afirst reference conductor, the second magnetic sensor unit comprises asecond reference conductor, and the third magnetic sensor unit comprisesa third reference conductor; the method comprising determining a firstdirection between a first reference conductor and a first position ofone of the plurality of conductors surrounding the first referenceconductor having a maximum change in capacitance with the firstreference conductor; determining a second direction between a secondreference conductor and a second position of one of the plurality ofconductors surrounding the second reference conductor having a maximumchange in capacitance with the second reference conductor; anddetermining a third direction between a third reference conductor and athird position of one of the plurality of conductors surrounding thethird reference conductor having a maximum change in capacitance withthe third reference conductor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following drawings are merely examples for illustrative purposesaccording to various disclosed embodiments and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a touch sensingapparatus in some embodiments according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a magnetic sensor unitin some embodiments according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism of determining a touchposition in some embodiments according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a touch sensingapparatus in some embodiments according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a touch sensingapparatus in some embodiments according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a touch sensingapparatus in some embodiments according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure will now be described more specifically with reference tothe following embodiments. It is to be noted that the followingdescriptions of some embodiments are presented herein for purpose ofillustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustiveor to be limited to the precise form disclosed.

Touch screens have found a wide range of applications in the displayfield, e.g., in smart phones and tablet computers. For example, in acapacitive touch screen, a touch event (e.g., by a finger) results incapacitance change in a touch electrode layer. A touch position can bedetermined by detecting the capacitance change in the touch electrodelayer. In theory, the conventional capacitive touch screen can have atouch accuracy up to a few pixels. When using a finger to conduct atouch action, however, the highest touch accuracy is in the range ofabout 1 square centimeter. To achieve a higher touch accuracy, a stylussuch as an active pen touch system is required. In conventional touchcontrol display panel, the implementation of the active pen touch systemis based on the existing touch control system, e.g., a touch controlpanel having a transparent touch electrode layer in the display area. Toimplement the active pen touch system in the existing touch controlsystem, aperture ratio in the touch control display panel will beinevitably affected. To minimize the reduction of the aperture ratio,the wiring of the active pen touch system has to be simplified orlimited in a small area. Thus, the sensor pitch of the active pen touchsystem has to be limited, resulting in a decreased touch accuracy.Moreover, in the conventional touch control display panel, a touch bythe active pen touch system and a touch by a finger cannot beconcurrently detected, affecting user experience.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides, inter alia, a touchsensing apparatus, a touch control display panel, a touch controldisplay apparatus, and a touch sensing method that substantially obviateone or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of therelated art. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a touchsensing apparatus. In some embodiments, the touch sensing apparatusincludes a plurality of magnetic sensor units spaced apart from eachother, each of which configured to detect a change in magnetic fieldcaused by a first touch input and a first touch integrated circuitconnected to the plurality of magnetic sensor units. Optionally, each ofthe plurality of magnetic sensor units includes a reference conductorconnected to the first touch integrated circuit; and a plurality ofconductors surrounding the reference conductor, each of the plurality ofconductors independently connected to the first touch integratedcircuit. Optionally, capacitances between the reference conductor andeach of the plurality of conductors undergo changes in response to thechange in the magnetic field caused by the first touch input.Optionally, the first touch integrated circuit is configured todetermine a touch position of the first touch input based on the changesin capacitances between the reference conductor and each of theplurality of conductors.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a touch sensingapparatus in some embodiments according to the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 1, the touch sensing apparatus in some embodimentsincludes a plurality of magnetic sensor units 1 spaced apart from eachother; and a first touch integrated circuit 2 connected to the pluralityof magnetic sensor units 1. The touch sensing apparatus may be acomponent of any electronic apparatus. Optionally, the touch sensingapparatus is a component of a display apparatus. A touch area may be astand-alone touch area of the electronic apparatus, e.g., a touch padarea of the electronic apparatus. Optionally, the touch area maypartially or completely overlap with a display area DA in a displayapparatus, as shown in FIG. 1. Optionally, the plurality of magneticsensor units 1 are disposed in a peripheral area PA of the displayapparatus. Optionally, the touch sensing apparatus further includes astylus be used in combination with the plurality of magnetic sensorunits 1. Because the present touch sensing apparatus is magneticsensing-based touch sensing apparatus, three-dimensional touch controlis possible. Optionally, the touch sensing apparatus is a hover-touchcontrol apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a magnetic sensor unitin some embodiments according to the present disclosure. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, each of the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1 includesa reference conductor 3 connected to the first touch integrated circuit2 and a plurality of conductors 4 surrounding the reference conductor 3,each of the plurality of conductors 4 independently connected to thefirst touch integrated circuit 2. Each of the plurality of magneticsensor units 1 is configured to detect a change in a magnetic fieldcaused by a first touch input, e.g., a change in the magnetic fieldintroduced by a magnetic stylus. Optionally, the reference conductor isa magnetic sensor configured to detect the change in the magnetic fieldcaused by the first touch input. Optionally, each of the plurality ofconductors is a magnetic sensor configured to independently detect thechange in the magnetic field caused by the first touch input.

Because each of the plurality of conductors 4 is independently connectedto the first touch integrated circuit 2, and the reference conductor 3is connected to the first touch integrated circuit 2, a capacitanceformed between the reference conductor 3 and each of the plurality ofconductors 4 can be independently detected. In some embodiments,capacitances between the reference conductor 3 and each of the pluralityof conductors 4 undergo changes in response to the change in themagnetic field caused by the first touch input. The first touchintegrated circuit 2 is configured to determine a touch position of thefirst touch input based on the changes in capacitances between thereference conductor 3 and each of the plurality of conductors 4. Forexample, a touch position may be determined as an intersecting-linespoint between two lines extending along two different directions. In oneexample, a first direction between the reference conductor 3 in a firstone of the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1 and the touch position,and a second direction between the reference conductor 3 in a second oneof the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1 and the touch position, canbe respectively determined. The intersecting-lines point between thefirst direction and the second direction can be determined as the touchposition. To determine the first direction and the second direction, atleast two of the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1 are required. Atouch sensing apparatus having two of the plurality of magnetic sensorunits 1, however, has a blind line corresponding to the line connectingthe two reference conductors in the two of the plurality of magneticsensor units 1. Optionally, a touch position may be determined as anintersecting-lines point between at least three lines extending along atleast three directions. In another example, a first direction betweenthe reference conductor 3 in a first one of the plurality of magneticsensor units 1 and the touch position, a second direction between thereference conductor 3 in a second one of the plurality of magneticsensor units 1 and the touch position, and a third direction between thereference conductor 3 in a third one of the plurality of magnetic sensorunits 1 and the touch position can be respectively determined. Theintersecting-lines point among the first direction, the seconddirection, and the third direction can be determined as the touchposition. Optionally, the touch sensing apparatus includes more thanthree of the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1, e.g., four or moremagnetic sensor units. By having more than three magnetic sensor units,the touch position can be verified by the additional directions betweenthe touch position and the additional magnetic sensor units. By havingthe additional magnetic sensor units, the touch position can still beaccurately determined when one of the magnetic sensor units ismalfunctioning or fails.

Any appropriate insulating media may be provided between the referenceconductor 3 and the plurality of conductors 4 surrounding the referenceconductor 3. Optionally, the reference conductor 3 and the plurality ofconductors 4 are insulated by air. Optionally, the reference conductor 3and the plurality of conductors 4 are insulated by an insulating liquidthe reference conductor 3 and the plurality of conductors 4 areinsulated by an elastic insulating media. The distance between thereference conductor 3 and the plurality of conductors 4 may be set to bein a range such that the capacitances between the reference conductor 3and each of the plurality of conductors 4 can be accurately detected.

Various appropriate methods may be used to detect the changes incapacitances between the reference conductor 3 and each of the pluralityof conductors 4. In some embodiments, the changes in capacitancesbetween the reference conductor 3 and each of the plurality ofconductors 4 are based on changes in distances between the referenceconductor 3 and each of the plurality of conductors 4 in response to thechange in the magnetic field caused by the first touch input. In someembodiments, the reference conductor 3 is a magnetic sensor configuredto undergoes a deformation in response to the change in the magneticfield caused by the first touch input, and the deformation in thereference conductor 3 results in changes in distances between thereference conductor 3 and each of the plurality of conductors 4.Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the touch sensing apparatusfurther includes a first base substrate 5 and a second base substrate 6,two ends of the reference conductor 3 are fixedly attached to the firstbase substrate 5 and the second base substrate 6, respectively, and twoends of each of the plurality of conductors 4 are fixedly attached tothe first base substrate 5 and the second base substrate 6,respectively. In one example, and as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality ofconductors 4 do not undergo deformation, and the reference conductor 3undergoes a deformation (e.g., bent). The distances between thereference conductor 3 and each of the plurality of conductors 4 undergochanges in response to the deformation in the reference conductor 3.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism of determining a touchposition in some embodiments according to the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 3, the touch position TP can be determined as anintersecting-lines point among a plurality of directions between thetouch position TP and the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1. Thedirection between each reference conductor 3 and the touch position TPcan be approximated as the direction between the reference conductor 3and a position of one of the plurality of conductors 4 undergoing amaximum change in capacitance with the reference conductor 3 (e.g., theconductor 4′ in FIG. 2) in response to the change in the magnetic fieldcaused by the first touch input among the plurality of conductors 4.Accordingly, the touch position can be determined based on the directionbetween the touch position IP and the reference conductor 3 in each ofthe plurality of magnetic sensor units 1. For example, in each one ofthe plurality of magnetic sensor units 1, the direction between thereference conductor 3 and the position of one of the plurality ofconductors 4 undergoing a maximum change in capacitance with thereference conductor 3 (e.g., the conductor 4′ in FIG. 2) in response tothe change in the magnetic field caused by the first touch input amongthe plurality of conductors 4 can be used as the direction between thetouch position TP and the reference conductor 3 in each of the pluralityof magnetic sensor units 1. The intersecting-lines point among severaldirections respectively derived from the plurality of magnetic sensorunits 1 can be determined as the touch position.

FIG. 2, the reference conductor 3 is shown to be a magnetic sensorconfigured to undergoes a deformation in response to the change in themagnetic field caused by the first touch input. In one example, thereference conductor 3 is made of a magnetizable metal, e.g.,iron-containing material. In response to a magnetic field, e.g., from astylus, the reference conductor 3 is magnetically attracted to thestylus, and is bent towards the stylus. In another example, thereference conductor 3 is made of a magnet. In response to a magneticfield, e.g., from a stylus, the reference conductor 3 undergoes adeformation. Optionally, the magnet in the reference conductor 3 has amagnetic polarity on a side of the reference conductor 3 proximal to thestylus that is the same as that of the stylus on a side of the stylusproximal to the reference conductor 3, the reference conductor 3 ismagnetically repelled by the stylus, and is bent away from the stylus.Optionally, the magnet in the reference conductor 3 has a magneticpolarity on a side of the reference conductor 3 proximal to the stylusthat is opposite to that of the stylus on a side of the stylus proximalto the reference conductor 3, the reference conductor 3 is magneticallyattracted by the stylus, and is bent towards the stylus.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of conductors 4 is a magneticsensor and configured to undergoes a deformation in response to thechange in the magnetic field caused by the first touch input, thedeformation in each of the plurality of conductors 4 results in thechanges in distances between the reference conductor 3 and each of theplurality of conductors 4. Optionally, the reference conductor 3 is nota magnetic sensor and does not undergo deformation in response to thechange in the magnetic field caused by the first touch input. In oneexample, the plurality of conductors 4 are made of a magnetizable metal,e.g., iron-containing material. In response to a magnetic field, e.g.,from a stylus, the plurality of conductors 4 are magnetically attractedto the stylus, and is bent towards the stylus. In another example, theplurality of conductors 4 are made of a magnet. In response to amagnetic field, e.g., from a stylus, the plurality of conductors 4undergo a deformation. Optionally, the magnet in the plurality ofconductors 4 has a magnetic polarity on a side of the plurality ofconductors 4 proximal to the stylus that is the same as that of thestylus on a side of the stylus proximal to the plurality of conductors4, the plurality of conductors 4 are magnetically repelled by thestylus, and are bent away from the stylus. Optionally, the magnet in theplurality of conductors 4 have a magnetic polarity on a side of theplurality of conductors 4 proximal to the stylus that is opposite tothat of the stylus on a side of the stylus proximal to the plurality ofconductors 4, the plurality of conductors 4 are magnetically attractedby the stylus, and are bent towards the stylus.

In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 2, the distances between thereference conductor 3 and the plurality of conductors 4 decrease inresponse to an exogenous magnetic field as compared to those absent ofthe exogenous magnetic field. In one example, and referring to FIGS.1-3, absent of an exogenous magnetic field (e.g., one that is introducedby a stylus 7 having a magnet during a touch event), the plurality ofconductors 4 surrounding the reference conductor 3 have a substantiallythe same distance to the reference conductor 3. Thus, absent of theexogenous magnetic field or absent of a magnetic field introduced by astylus 7 having a magnet during a touch event, each of the plurality ofconductors 4 surrounding the reference conductor 3 have a substantiallythe same capacitance with the reference conductor 3. Optionally, thedirection between the reference conductor 3 and the touch position TP isdetermined based on a position of one of the plurality of conductors 4having a maximum capacitance with the reference conductor 3 (e.g., theconductor 4′ in FIG. 2) in response to the change in the magnetic fieldcaused by the first touch input among the plurality of conductors 4. Inone example, the direction between the reference conductor 3 and thetouch position TP is approximated as the direction between the referenceconductor 3 and the position of one of the plurality of conductors 4having a maximum capacitance with the reference conductor 3 in responseto the change in the magnetic field caused by the first touch inputamong the plurality of conductors 4.

In some embodiments, the distances between the reference conductor 3 andthe plurality of conductors 4 increase in response to an exogenousmagnetic field as compared to those absent of the exogenous magneticfield. In one example, absent of an exogenous magnetic field (e.g., onethat is introduced by a stylus 7 having a magnet during a touch event),the plurality of conductors 4 surrounding the reference conductor 3 havea substantially the same distance to the reference conductor 3. Thus,absent of the exogenous magnetic field or, absent of a magnetic fieldintroduced by a stylus 7 having a magnet during a touch event, each ofthe plurality of conductors 4 surrounding the reference conductor 3 havea substantially the same capacitance with the reference conductor 3,Optionally, the direction between the reference conductor 3 and thetouch position TP is determined based on a position of one of theplurality of conductors 4 having a minimum capacitance with thereference conductor 3 in response to the change in the magnetic fieldcaused by the first touch input among the plurality of conductors 4. Inone example, the direction between the reference conductor 3 and thetouch position TP is approximated as the direction between the referenceconductor 3 and the position of one of the plurality of conductors 4having a minimum capacitance with the reference conductor 3 in responseto the change in the magnetic field caused by the first touch inputamong the plurality of conductors 4.

The reference conductor 3 and the plurality of conductors 4 may be madeof various appropriate shapes and dimensions. Optionally, the referenceconductor 3 has a substantially rod shape. Optionally, the referenceconductor 3 has a substantially plate shape. Optionally, each of theplurality of conductors 4 has a substantially rod shape. Optionally,each of the plurality of conductors 4 has a substantially plate shape.Optionally, the plurality of conductors 4 are substantially parallel tothe reference conductor 3 absent of an exogenous magnetic field (e.g.,one that is introduced by a stylus 7 having a magnet during a touchevent). Optionally, the reference conductor 3 has a substantially flatshape. Optionally, the reference conductor 3 has a curved shape.Optionally, each of the plurality of conductors 4 has a substantiallyflat shape, Optionally, each of the plurality of conductors 4 has acurved shape. Optionally, each of the plurality of conductors 4 has asubstantially uniform shape. Optionally, the plurality of conductors 4have non-uniform shapes.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, in some embodiments, the plurality ofconductors 4 are arranged surrounding the reference conductor 3.Optionally, the cross-section of the plurality of conductors 4 are alonga virtual partial circular line or a virtual full circular line.Optionally, the reference conductor 3 is at the center of the virtualpartial circular line or the virtual full circular line. Optionally, thedistances between the reference conductor 3 and a mid-point of each ofthe plurality of conductors 4 are substantially the same. Optionally,the distances between a mid-point of the reference conductor 3 and amid-point of each of the plurality of conductors 4 are substantially thesame.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a touch sensingapparatus in some embodiments according to the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 4, each of the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1 insome embodiments includes a plurality of layers of conductors. Eachlayer of the plurality of layers of conductors includes a plurality ofconductors 4 surrounding the reference conductor 3. FIG. 4 shows aplurality of magnetic sensor units 1 each of which includes two layersof conductors, e.g., a first layer of conductors and a second layers ofconductors. Accordingly, the direction between the reference conductor 3and the touch position is determined based on a first position of one ofthe plurality of conductors 4 in the first layer that undergoes amaximum change in capacitance with the reference conductor 3 in responseto the change in the magnetic field caused by the first touch inputamong the plurality of conductors 4 in the first layer, and a secondposition of one of the plurality of conductors 4 in the second layerthat undergoes a maximum change in capacitance with the referenceconductor 3 in response to the change in the magnetic field caused bythe first touch input among the plurality of conductors 4 in the secondlayer. Optionally, the direction between the touch position and thereference conductor 3 in each of the plurality of magnetic sensor units1 is determined solely based on the direction between the first positionand the second position and the touch position is determined based onthe direction between the first position and the second position in eachof the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1. Optionally, the directionbetween the touch position and the reference conductor 3 in each of theplurality of magnetic sensor units 1 is determined based on an alignmentof the reference conductor 3, the first position, and the secondposition; and the touch position is determined based on the directionbetween the aligned direction in each of the plurality of magneticsensor units 1.

In some embodiments, the touch sensing apparatus is a part of a touchcontrol display panel. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the touch controldisplay panel in some embodiments includes a peripheral area PA and adisplay area DA. Optionally, the touch sensing apparatus is in theperipheral area PA of the touch control display panel. Because the touchsensing apparatus is disposed in the peripheral area PA, the touchsensing apparatus can be made of non-transparent materials. For example,the reference conductor 3 and the plurality of conductors 4 can be madeof non-transparent metal materials. Optionally, the touch integratedcircuit and the signal lines connecting the plurality of magnetic sensorunits with the driving circuit are disposed in the peripheral area PA.By having this design, the aperture ratio of a display panel having thetouch sensing apparatus will not be affected at all.

As used herein, the term “display area” refers to an area of a displaypanel where image is actually displayed. Optionally, the display areamay include both a subpixel region and an inter-subpixel region. Asubpixel region refers to a light emission region of a subpixel, such asa region corresponding to a pixel electrode in a liquid crystal displayor a region corresponding to a light emissive layer in an organic lightemitting diode display panel. An inter-subpixel region refers to aregion between adjacent subpixel regions, such as a region correspondingto a black matrix in a liquid crystal display or a region correspondinga pixel definition layer in an organic light emitting diode displaypanel. Optionally, the inter-subpixel region is a region betweenadjacent subpixel regions in a same pixel. Optionally, theinter-subpixel region is a region between two adjacent subpixel regionsfrom two adjacent pixels.

As used herein the term “peripheral area” refers to an area of a displaypanel where various circuits and wires are provided to transmit signalsto the display panel. To increase the transparency of the display panel,non-transparent or opaque components of the display panel (e.g.,battery, printed circuit board, metal frame can be disposed in theperipheral area rather than in the display areas.

Optionally, the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1 are disposed atcorners of the touch control display panel, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and4.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating the structures of touch sensingapparatuses in some embodiments according to the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 5, the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1 aredisposed at edges of the touch control display panel. Referring to FIG.6, the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1 are disposed at edges andcorners of the touch control display panel.

Optionally, at least one of the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1 isdisposed on a back side of the touch control display panel, e.g., a sideopposite to the light emitting side of the touch control display panel.Optionally, the touch integrated circuit and the signal linesconnecting, the plurality of magnetic sensor units with the drivingcircuit are disposed on the back side of the touch control displaypanel. By having this design the aperture ratio of a display panelhaving the touch sensing apparatus will not be affected at all.

Optionally, the touch sensing apparatus includes at least three magneticsensor units. Optionally, the touch sensing apparatus includes fourmagnetic sensor units. Optionally, the touch sensing apparatus includesmore than four magnetic sensor units (see, e.g., FIG. 6).

Optionally, all of the plurality of magnetic sensor units 1 are outsidethe display area. Optionally, the touch sensing apparatus includes oneor more magnetic sensor units surrounding the display area, e.g., at thecenter of the touch control display panel. Optionally, at least one ofthe plurality of magnetic sensor units 1 is disposed on a back side ofthe touch control display panel. When the magnetic sensor units aredisposed on the back side of the touch control display panel, they canbe in the display area. Optionally, the magnetic sensor units aredisposed on the back side of the touch control display panel in theperipheral area.

Optionally, the touch sensing apparatus includes a stylus. Optionally,the stylus is a pen, e.g., an active pen. Optionally, the stylusincludes a magnet, e.g., a permanent magnet. Optionally, the stylusfurther includes a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of atouch. For example, the touch control display panel can display athicker line or a thinner line depending on the magnitude of thepressure applied by the stylus during a touch event.

In another aspect, the present disclosure further provides a touchcontrol display panel having a touch sensing apparatus described herein.Optionally, the touch control display panel includes a display area anda peripheral area. Optionally, the plurality of magnetic sensor unitsare in the peripheral area.

In some embodiments, the touch control display panel further includes atransparent touch electrode layer in the display area for detecting asecond touch input. Optionally, the transparent touch electrode layer isconnected to a second touch integrated circuit independent of the firsttouch integrated circuit. Optionally, the touch display panel isconfigured to detect the first touch input and the second touch inputconcurrently. The detection of the first touch input and the detectionof the second touch input do not interfere with each other. By havingthis design, the touch control display panel can realize finger touchcontrol and stylus touch control at the same time.

In another aspect, the present disclosure further provides a touchcontrol display apparatus having a touch control display panel describedherein. Examples of appropriate touch control display apparatusesinclude, but are not limited to, an electronic paper, a mobile phone, atablet computer, a television, a monitor, a notebook computer, a digitalalbum, a GPS, etc.

In another aspect, the present disclosure further provides a touchsensing method. In some embodiments, the touch sensing method includesproviding a plurality of magnetic sensor units spaced apart from eachother; each of the plurality of magnetic sensor units including areference conductor and a plurality of conductors surrounding thereference conductor; detecting changes in capacitances between thereference conductor and each of a plurality of conductors surroundingthe reference conductor; and determining a direction between thereference conductor in each of the plurality of magnetic sensor unitsand a touch position based on the changes in capacitances between thereference conductor and each of a plurality of conductors surroundingthe reference conductor in each of the plurality of magnetic sensorunits.

In some embodiments, the step of detecting the changes in capacitancesbetween the reference conductor and each of a plurality of conductorssurrounding the reference conductor includes detecting changes indistances between the reference conductor and each of a plurality ofconductors surrounding the reference conductor.

In some embodiments, the reference conductor is a magnetic sensorconfigured to detect the change in the magnetic field caused by thefirst touch input; and the step of detecting the changes in distancesbetween the reference conductor and each of a plurality of conductorssurrounding the reference conductor includes deforming the referenceconductor in response to the change in the magnetic field caused by thetouch input.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of conductors is a magneticsensor configured to independently detect the change in the magneticfield caused by the touch input; and the step of detecting the changesin distances between the reference conductor and each of a plurality ofconductors surrounding the reference conductor includes deforming theplurality of conductors in response to the change in the magnetic fieldcaused by the touch input.

In some embodiments, the step of determining the direction between thereference conductor and the touch position includes determining aposition of one of the plurality of conductors having a maximum changein capacitance among the plurality of conductors with the referenceconductor. Optionally, the step of determining the direction between thereference conductor and the touch position includes determining adirection between the reference conductor and the position of one of theplurality of conductors having a maximum change in capacitance among theplurality of conductors with the reference conductor. Optionally, absentof the exogenous magnetic field (e.g., one introduced by a stylus havinga magnet during a touch event), each of the plurality of conductorssurrounding the reference conductor have a substantially the samecapacitance with the reference conductor. Optionally, the step ofdetermining the direction between the reference conductor and the touchposition includes determining a position of one of the plurality ofconductors having a maximum capacitance among the plurality ofconductors with the reference conductor. Optionally, the step ofdetermining the direction between the reference conductor and the touchposition includes determining a direction between the referenceconductor and the position of one of the plurality of conductors havinga maximum capacitance among the plurality of conductors with thereference conductor. Optionally, the step of determining the directionbetween the reference conductor and the touch position includesdetermining a position of one of the plurality of conductors having aminimum capacitance among the plurality of conductors with the referenceconductor. Optionally, the step of determining the direction between thereference conductor and the touch position includes determining adirection between the reference conductor and the position of one of theplurality of conductors having a minimum capacitance among the pluralityof conductors with the reference conductor.

In some embodiments, the plurality of magnetic sensor units include afirst magnetic sensor unit, a second magnetic sensor unit, and a thirdmagnetic sensor unit. The first magnetic sensor unit includes a firstreference conductor and a plurality of conductors surrounding the firstreference conductor. The second magnetic sensor unit includes a secondreference conductor and a plurality of conductors surrounding the secondreference conductor. The third magnetic sensor unit includes a thirdreference conductor and a plurality of conductors surrounding the thirdreference conductor.

In some embodiments, the touch sensing method includes determining afirst direction between a first reference conductor and a first positionof one of the plurality of conductors surrounding the first referenceconductor having a maximum change in capacitance with the firstreference conductor; and determining a second direction between a secondreference conductor and a second position of one of the plurality ofconductors surrounding the second reference conductor having a maximumchange in capacitance with the second reference conductor. Optionally,the method includes determining a first direction between a firstreference conductor and a first position of one of the plurality ofconductors surrounding the first reference conductor having a maximumcapacitance with the first reference conductor; and determining a seconddirection between a second reference conductor and a second position ofone of the plurality of conductors surrounding the second referenceconductor having a maximum capacitance with the second referenceconductor. Optionally, the method includes determining a first directionbetween a first reference conductor and a first position of one of theplurality of conductors surrounding the first reference conductor havinga minimum capacitance with the first reference conductor; anddetermining a second direction between a second reference conductor anda second position of one of the plurality of conductors surrounding thesecond reference conductor having a minimum capacitance with the secondreference conductor.

In some embodiments, the touch sensing method includes determining afirst direction between a first reference conductor and a first positionof one of the plurality of conductors surrounding the first referenceconductor having a maximum change in capacitance with the firstreference conductor; determining a second direction between a secondreference conductor and a second position of one of the plurality ofconductors surrounding the second reference conductor having a maximumchange in capacitance with the second reference conductor; anddetermining a third direction between a third reference conductor and athird position of one of the plurality of conductors surrounding thethird reference conductor having a maximum change in capacitance withthe third reference conductor. Optionally, the method includesdetermining a first direction between a first reference conductor and afirst position of one of the plurality of conductors surrounding thefirst reference conductor having a maximum capacitance with the firstreference conductor; determining a second direction between a secondreference conductor and a second position of one of the plurality ofconductors surrounding the second reference conductor having a maximumcapacitance with the second reference conductor; and determining a thirddirection between a third reference conductor and a third position ofone of the plurality of conductors surrounding the third referenceconductor having a maximum capacitance with the third referenceconductor. Optionally, the method includes determining a first directionbetween a first reference conductor and a first position of one of theplurality of conductors surrounding the first reference conductor havinga minimum capacitance with the first reference conductor; determining asecond direction between a second reference conductor and a secondposition of one of the plurality of conductors surrounding the secondreference conductor having a minimum capacitance with the secondreference conductor; and determining a third direction between a thirdreference conductor and a third position of one of the plurality ofconductors surrounding the third reference conductor having a minimumcapacitance with the third reference conductor.

In some embodiments, the plurality of magnetic sensor units includes aplurality of layers of conductors. Each layer of the plurality of layersof conductors includes a plurality of conductors surrounding thereference conductor. In some embodiments, each of the plurality ofmagnetic sensor units includes two layers of conductors, e.g., a firstlayer of conductors and a second layers of conductors. In someembodiments, the step of determining the direction between the referenceconductor and the touch position includes determining a first positionof one of the plurality of conductors in the first layer that undergoesa maximum change in capacitance with the reference conductor in responseto the change in the magnetic field caused by the touch input among theplurality of conductors in the first layer, and determining a secondposition of one of the plurality of conductors in the second layer thatundergoes a maximum change in capacitance with the reference conductorin response to the change in the magnetic field caused by the touchinput among the plurality of conductors in the second layer. Optionally,the step of determining the direction between the touch position and thereference conductor in each of the plurality of magnetic sensor unitsincludes determining the direction between the first position and thesecond position; and the step of determining the touch position includesdetermining the direction between the first position and the secondposition in each of the plurality of magnetic sensor units. Optionally,the step of determining the direction between the touch position and thereference conductor in each of the plurality of magnetic sensor unitsincludes determining an alignment direction of the reference conductor,the first position, and the second position; and the step of determiningthe touch position includes determining the alignment direction in eachof the plurality of magnetic sensor units.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formor to exemplary embodiments disclosed. Accordingly, the foregoingdescription should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent topractitioners skilled in this art. The embodiments are chosen anddescribed in order to explain the principles of the invention and itsbest mode practical application, thereby to enable persons skilled inthe art to understand the invention for various embodiments and withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use orimplementation contemplated. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalentsin which, all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unlessotherwise indicated. Therefore, the term “the invention”, “the presentinvention” or the like does not necessarily limit the claim scope to aspecific embodiment, and the reference to exemplary embodiments of theinvention does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no suchlimitation is to be inferred. The invention is limited only by thespirit and scope of the appended claims. Moreover, these claims mayrefer to use “first”, “second”, etc. following with noun or element.Such terms should be understood as a nomenclature and should not beconstrued as giving the limitation on the number of the elementsmodified by such nomenclature unless specific number has been given. Anyadvantages and benefits described may not apply to all embodiments ofthe invention. It should be appreciated that variations may be made inthe embodiments described by persons skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention as defined by thefollowing claims. Moreover, no element and component in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element or component is explicitly recited in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A touch sensing apparatus, comprising: a firstbase substrate; a second base substrate; and a plurality of magneticsensor units between the first base substrate and the second basesubstrate, a respective one of the plurality of magnetic sensor unitsbeing configured to detect a change in magnetic field caused by a firsttouch input and connected to a first touch integrated circuit; whereinthe respective one of the plurality of magnetic sensor units comprises areference conductor and a plurality of conductors surrounding thereference conductor, the reference conductor and each of the pluralityof conductors independently connected to the first touch integratedcircuit; wherein the first touch integrated circuit is configured todetermine a touch position based on changes in capacitances between thereference conductor and each of the plurality of conductors; wherein thereference conductor comprises a first end fixedly attached to the firstbase substrate, a second end fixedly attached to the second basesubstrate, and a reference conductor body continuously extending fromthe first end to the second end; a respective one of the plurality ofconductors has a third end fixedly attached to the first base substrate,a fourth end fixedly attached to the second base substrate, and aconductor body continuously extending from the third end to the fourthend; the plurality of conductors in the respective one of the pluralityof magnetic sensor units are arranged along a virtual partial circularline or a virtual full circular line centering around the referenceconductor; distances respectively between a mid-point of the referenceconductor body of the reference conductor and mid-points of theconductor bodies of the plurality of conductors are substantially thesame; the plurality of magnetic sensor units are spaced apart from eachother and respectively surrounding a periphery of a central area; ineach of the plurality of magnetic sensor units, the virtual partialcircular line or the virtual full circular line is between the centralarea and the reference conductor.
 2. The touch sensing apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the reference conductor is a magnetic sensor configuredto detect changes in a magnetic field caused by the first touch input.3. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the pluralityof conductors is a magnetic sensor configured to detect the change in amagnetic field caused by the first touch input.
 4. The touch sensingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the changes in capacitances between thereference conductor and each of the plurality of conductors are based onchanges in distances between the reference conductor and each of theplurality of conductors in response to the change in the magnetic fieldcaused by the first touch input.
 5. The touch sensing apparatus of claim4, wherein the reference conductor is a magnetic sensor configured toundergoes a deformation in response to the change in the magnetic fieldcaused by the first touch input; and the changes in distances betweenthe reference conductor and each of the plurality of conductors arebased on the deformation.
 6. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 4,wherein each of the plurality of conductors is a magnetic sensorconfigured to undergo a deformation in response to the change in themagnetic field caused by the first touch input; the changes in distancesbetween the reference conductor and each of the plurality of conductorsare based on the deformation.
 7. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 1,wherein a direction between the reference conductor and the touchposition is determined based on a position of one of the plurality ofconductors undergoing a maximum change in capacitance with the referenceconductor in response to the change in the magnetic field caused by thefirst touch input among the plurality of conductors; and the touchposition is determined based on the direction between the touch positionand the reference conductor in each of the plurality of magnetic sensorunits.
 8. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pluralityof conductors surrounding the reference conductor have substantially thesame distance to the reference conductor absent of an exogenous magneticfield; and the direction between the reference conductor and the touchposition is determined based on a position of one of the plurality ofconductors having a maximum capacitance with the reference conductor inresponse to the change in the magnetic field caused by the first touchinput among the plurality of conductors.
 9. The touch sensing apparatusof claim 1, wherein the reference conductor has a substantially rodshape; and each of the plurality of conductors has a substantially plateshape.
 10. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the referenceconductor is made of a magnetizable metal.
 11. The touch sensingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the reference conductor and the pluralityof conductors are made of non-transparent metal materials.
 12. The touchsensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of magnetic sensorunits comprises at least three magnetic sensor units.
 13. The touchsensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of thereference conductor body in the respective one of the plurality ofmagnetic sensor units is spaced apart from the plurality of conductorsby air or an insulating liquid provided between the first base substrateand the second base substrate.
 14. A touch control display panel,comprising the touch sensing apparatus of claim 1, and a display panel.15. The touch control display panel of claim 14, having a display areaconfigured to display an image and a peripheral area in which an imageis not displayed; wherein the central area is the display area of thetouch control display panel; and the plurality of magnetic sensor unitsare in the peripheral area.
 16. The touch control display panel of claim14, further comprising a stylus comprising a magnet.
 17. A touch controldisplay apparatus, comprising a touch control display panel of claim 14.18. A touch sensing method, comprising: providing a plurality ofmagnetic sensor units between a first base substrate and a second basesubstrate; a respective one of the plurality of magnetic sensor unitscomprising a reference conductor and a plurality of conductorssurrounding the reference conductor; independently connecting thereference conductor and each of the plurality of conductors to a firsttouch integrated circuit; arranging the plurality of magnetic sensorunits spaced apart from each other and respectively surrounding aperiphery of a central area; fixedly attaching a first end of thereference conductor to the first base substrate, fixedly attaching asecond end of the reference conductor to the second base substrate, areference conductor body of the reference conductor continuouslyextending from the first end to the second end; fixedly attaching athird end of a respective one of the plurality of conductors to thefirst base substrate, fixedly attaching a fourth end of the respectiveone of the plurality of conductors to the second base substrate, aconductor body of the respective one of the plurality of conductorscontinuously extending from the third end to the fourth end; arrangingthe plurality of conductors in the respective one of the plurality ofmagnetic sensor units along a virtual partial circular line or a virtualfull circular line centering around the reference conductor so thatdistances respectively between a mid-point of the reference conductorbody of the reference conductor and mid-points of the conductor bodiesof the plurality of conductors are substantially the same; arranging theplurality of conductors in each of the plurality of magnetic sensorunits so that the virtual partial circular line or the virtual fullcircular line is between the central area and the reference conductor;detecting changes in capacitances between the reference conductor andeach of a plurality of conductors surrounding the reference conductor;and determining a direction between the reference conductor in each ofthe plurality of magnetic sensor units and a touch position based on thechanges in capacitances between the reference conductor and each of aplurality of conductors surrounding the reference conductor in each ofthe plurality of magnetic sensor units.
 19. The touch sensing method ofclaim 18, wherein detecting the changes in capacitances between thereference conductor and each of the plurality of conductors surroundingthe reference conductor comprises detecting changes in distances betweenthe reference conductor and each of the plurality of conductorssurrounding the reference conductor.
 20. The touch sensing method ofclaim 19, wherein detecting the changes in distances between thereference conductor and each of the plurality of conductors surroundingthe reference conductor comprises deforming the reference conductor inresponse to the change in a magnetic field caused by a touch input.